Holocaust Commission

The mission of the Holocaust Commission of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater is to foster an understanding of the uniqueness and magnitude of the Holocaust, while inspiring students, teachers, and our community to champion human dignity in our constantly changing world.

Personal Stories of Survival During the HolocaustFor over thirty years, local survivors from the Holocaust Commission's Speakers' Bureau shared their stories with thousands of students throughout Tidewater. Read their biographies and the Personal Stories of other local survivors, liberators, and Righteous Gentiles.

What We CarryWhat We Carry is a multimedia program that continues to share the messages of the last four Speakers’ Bureau survivors, and will soon share the stories of another local survivor, liberator and Righteous Gentile. Using raw interview footage and archival footage, the Holocaust Commission initially created four short films, each one based on a Speakers’ Bureau survivor’s experiences and reflections. The commission brings them to schools, military commands and community groups as part of a docent-led presentation including a vintage suitcase full of replicas of the photos, artifacts, and memorabilia the four retained from their Holocaust experiences. The new films premiered in May 2016, and the stories should be available for presentation by Fall 2017.Elie Wiesel CompetitionsThe Elie Wiesel Writing and Visual Arts competitions are open to middle and high school students annually, with cash prizes for winners and incentives for teachers.

Your gift to the White Rose project purchases books and other educational materials for local schools to help educators teach students about the Holocaust.

Your gift to the Red Rose Campaign ($250 and above) helps fund larger projects, and provides vital funding for all of our educational programs. Thank you for considering a donation.

Teacher AwardsAwards for excellence in Holocaust education are offered by the Holocaust Commission to honor teachers in the area's public and private schools who have demonstrated excellence in Holocaust education. Learn More.

Yom HashoahFor the commemoration of the Day of the Holocaust, the commission sponsors an annual Yom Hashoah program that celebrates the power of the human spirit and the enduring faith of those who witnessed and survived the Holocaust. Elie Wiesel Competition and Teacher Award winners are honored at this event.

Through the Eyes of a FriendThrough the Eyes of a Friend is a dramatic presentation that offers students in Tidewater public and private schools the opportunity to learn about the Holocaust through Anne Frank showing her world from a unique perspective.

Educators’ ConferencesBiennial educators’ conferences bring nationally recognized speakers, authors, and child advocates to the Tidewater area, to give teachers and school counselors continuing education for themselves, and practical tools to use in their schools.

Holocaust Resources on the WebThe Holocaust Commission has compiled a list of credible website links for students, teachers, and those seeking a greater understanding of the history and impact of the Holocaust.

The Holocaust Commission of UJFT encourages teachers, students and the community at large to apply the lessons of history to the moral decisions they make each day.